Title :
Elastic dipole antenna prepared with thin metal films on elastomeric substrate
Author :
Liu, Quanwei ; Robinson, A.P. ; Ford, Kenneth L. ; Langley, Richard J. ; Lacour, S.P.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Electron. & Electr. Eng., Univ. of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
Abstract :
The manufacture and characterisation of an elastic dipole antenna that is reversibly deformable and stretchable is described. The metallisation technique of depositing sub-micron-thick gold (Au) film on pillar patterned elastomer polydimethylsiloxane has been developed for elastic antenna applications. Under strain, the gold films may be stretched to 20% elongation, hundreds of thousands of times with reasonable electrical conduction. The dipole antenna based on this technique can withstand 10% strain and return to its original state after removal of the applied stretch.
Keywords :
antenna radiation patterns; dipole antennas; elasticity; elastomers; electrical conductivity; gold; metallic thin films; elastic antenna applications; elastic dipole antenna; elastomeric substrate; electrical conduction; gold films; metallisation technique; pillar patterned elastomer polydimethylsiloxane; sub-micron-thick gold film; thin metal films;
Journal_Title :
Electronics Letters
DOI :
10.1049/el.2011.3620
